#Demo version r2
13 messages in this thread
If your dealer offers to loan you a "DEMO" r2 version;
…..don't bother. The "demo" versions are locked with no key inside the
sealed pack.:-)
Buck
Is it legal for a dealer to use a "demo" or "reseller's" copy of 3ds
version 1 or 2 for production/commercial gain? If it is not, I think that
is unfair to the people who actually buy the product, just as it is unfair
if people pirate the product.
According to discussions I have had with Autodesk, it is NOT legal to use
'demo' copies of 3DS for commercial purposes. But you should check with
John Sergneri in developer relations at Adesk for more info. There are
several of us out here who have bought at least 1 copy of 3DS and who also
have access to the developer's program. If there are any folks who are
betas who have never actually purchased and registered a copy, then it
should be illegal to use it for commercial gain. I for one would like to
see Adesk enforce that policy, if indeed I have stated it correctly.
(Please correct me if you need to John!)
Doug,
I've checked my dealer contract. There is no restriction should I
choose to use my dealer demo software for commercial purposes (ie: video
production). I don't happen to do that, since it would be competing with
my customers (to whom I prefer to refer business, so they can afford more
equipment & software). Legally, however, I could, as long as my
contractual obligations are adhered to. Heck, we pay for the darn things,
we OUGHT to be able to use them. Similarly, the beta sites that I've dealt
with (or upgraded) have had to purchase and register their copies of the
software, although they may receive special pricing. Certainly they are
entitled to utilize the software for profit. In fact, their production
skills and exposure to real-life situations are very much valued by the
Autodesk beta program. I'm not sure what the contractual arrangement is
for unpaid review copies, but journalistic professionalism seems to limit
them to review purposes only. There are a few writers on this forum who
may have such copies, and they do NOT use them for production, even though
they really wish they could.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
I'm not sure what use the DEMO version is suppose to have, since it's
locked and the sealed package doesn't contain a Key. My dealer was trying
to help and loaned me a DEMO copy. So all I can do is read the manuals and
dream! I am hosting the first Boston area users group and the topic is r2.
I had hoped to have a copy by now, but they are saying 2 more weeks.
Buck
I wish we could straighten this out, since I suspect an ex-autodesk
multimedia dealer (who shall remain nameless) of recieving a
demo/reseller/review copy (or whatever dealers recieve) and fully intending
to use it for commercial gain in a big way. I'm not going to blow the
whistle on them but I'd like to know if they are playing fair or not, since
I'm sure they didn't pay for it.
Martin,
Interesting. . . care to share that name with me privately via
E-Mail ? That way I'll be certain to steer clear of them . As for myself,
all my commercial work is done using Topas, which I paid for, and continue
to pay upgrades for . Occasionally, software vendors allow me to keep
programs which they had originally sent as review copies for articles;
Tempra Pro, Color Rix, and VT Compress are programs I accquired this way
and feel free to use them for profit making business. Sometimes, a magazine
passes along a program that was gifted to them by a vendor, shrink wrapped.
In ambiguous situations like this I usually will not use the product in my
commercial work until I have paid some sort of upgrade fee, either for a
new version, or an agreed upon "special price" to become a fully registerd
user. Most of the time though, software crosses my desk with a 30 to 90 day
give it back fuse on it for review purposes only. 3DS r1 was a 90 day
loaner for me last year and I had to wrap it up and mail it back. I just
received 3DS r2 on review, I anticipate writing a comparison to Topas 4.0
as well as a separate article on IPAS. I already anticipate that I will
want to eventually pay some kind of money to become legit and use it as a
second toolkit to compliment Topas rather than just send it back this time
around. BTW, did Patricia ever share my resume and tape with you ? Thanks
for the refferal, hope something developes soon !
Bruce
Martin,
If you want to get an answer, try calling Bob Bennett (product
manager for 3D Studio) @ 415/491-8801, and let him know of your concerns.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Good idea Kevin. That should probably clear this up.
Actually, it was the developer's program I was referring to. If you are a
certified Autodesk developer, then you are definitely NOT allowed to use
the free copies of 3D Studio for commercial gain. I would assume that this
would include companies like Panacea, for example. But if they go out and
buy a copy, then everything is legal. I don't think dealers are affected.
Besides, as every dealer will contest, there is no way to get *1* copy of
3DS for free and not spend any more money with Autodesk right Kevin?
I have this r2 DEMO -locked- version that was loaned to me by a good
intentioned dealer. The sealed package didn't contain a key. (I think I'm
scheduled to be the last r2 shipped, been waiting weeks now. They say 2
weeks more to go)….SO: I'm rendering scenes that take 10 minutes with r1,
and my computer is going day and night! Then, AH-HA r2 can render without a
key. Version r2 is 5 times FASTER!!! What was taking 10 hours, is now done
2 hours!
My Thanks to Gary Yost and Company
TNX Buck
Buck, I'm sorry that it's taking you so long to get your update… ARGH!
The package you got from your dealer didn't have a key because that dealer
got the key for it with his pre-release.
It's great to hear that you at least got around that with the renderer.
Good luck getting the update ASAP!
– G
Doug… Any type of commercial gain from a beta copy (or press copy) of 3D
Studio is prohibited (that's the word I got from my contact at Adesk last
year when I reviewed it… Sorry I can't remember his name at the moment).
I've adhered to that policy strictly. When I do feel that my animation and
modeling skills are pro-enough to to make money off them, then yes, I will
* purchase * a commercial copy of 3DS2. For the time being, I'm just happy
to relate the benefits of using this software to other users (via my
reviews in Byte of it and other Adesk products).
My voice number is posted publicly on Bix. I've received calls from
probably a dozen or so people that have went ahead and purchased 3DS after
speaking with me (the calls have ranged from NYC, Mexico and Japan). Even
though I feel that I was directly responsible for these sales for Adesk,
that still does not give me the right to profit from my reviewer's copy of
the software by generating commercial stills and/or animations. (I do post
a lot of my stuff as public domain however).
I've shown our local PBS station 3DSr2 (the release version) just recently.
Though they are Topas users, they are `jazzed' about 3DSr2 and will more
than likely buy a number of copies of the software in the near future. As
payment for services, I'll probably receive one of the purchased copies.
What goes around comes around I always say. In this case, ethics proved
right (plus made additional sales for Adesk). – Greg